Possible bogus EE rep citing MSE?

Anitra66

Hi, newbie here!

This is a bit of an odd one to start off with, but I've had a strange caller this afternoon, in the North Bristol area, claiming to be from EE in association with MSE, investigating reports of internet problems in the area. I am NOT with EE! He wanted me to grab my mobile for a "quick speed test". I refused and closed the door. I'm not sure if he was just an overzealous EE rep, or even worse, a would-be burglar who has nothing to do with any ISP. I'm entirely happy I closed the door, but just wondered if MSE has lent its name to any legitimate campaign in association with EE? I found the whole thing very odd, and wondered if I should have contacted police. I tried messaging EE on Facebook to ask similar questions and check if they had canvassers in the area today, but their Facebook Messenger is unmanned and just wants me to install their app! Also they don't publish any email address. Anyone have any knowledge of a joint EE/MSE initiative at the moment?

MSE_James

Hi  - MSE is in no way involved in cold calling - please see:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/no-more-junk/#mse

and

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2019/07/had-a-cold-caller-at-your-door--they-re-not-from-moneysavingexpe/

for further details.

Anitra66

Thank you, I'm glad I asked. Strictly speaking, he never actually claimed to be from MSE, but EE, but had both logos on his shirt, and implied you were "aware" of problems he was supposedly investigating. I couldn't understand why a provider I'm not with would randomly want to test a connection they're not responsible for. I thought it possible he was a real EE salesperson, who would go on to tell me it wasn't very good, and that they could make it better. But either way, I wasn't having it!

southsidergs

Money expert (without the saving) - EE Door-to-Door Sales | Profile Help | EE

forgotmyname

We get them, your neighbours have complained about speed/price whatever they dream up, not had one quote MSE yet.

When they quote company names and assume I am a customer I go into the we are no longer with that company and are
in a fairly new contract.

Funny the last call was claiming to be Vodafone who we really did leave a fair few months ago, claimed they could save us
money on our contract. I fed them useless info and they said they sent a text that I need to respond to. 

You sent a text to my house phone?  How does that work? She kept asking if I received the text yet, I just repeated how can
I read a text on a house phone that only displays phone numbers? Eventually she hung up.

flaneurs_lobster

southsidergs said:

Money expert (without the saving) - EE Door-to-Door Sales | Profile Help | EE

So there's a price comparison company/website called Money Expert (est 2003). That's not likely to get confused with Money Saving Expert (est 2003) any time soon then?

flaneurs_lobster

forgotmyname said:

You sent a text to my house phone?  How does that work? She kept asking if I received the text yet, I just repeated how can
I read a text on a house phone that only displays phone numbers? Eventually she hung up.

You can send a text to a landline, it gets converted into a voicemail and will be read out if the call is answered. Works on most UK landline providers, no way to reply via landline though,

JSmithy45AD

They've been plaquing us of late (without the MSE reference) with the same story, "Hello we're with EE, we're not selling anything but we're just checking your broadband is working well". Yeah, right. Our local Asda has let them set up shop (arf!!!) as well so they harass you on your way in or out. I think they've started to recognise me now as they all turn away and bother someone else

brewerdave

JSmithy45AD said:

They've been plaquing us of late (without the MSE reference) with the same story, "Hello we're with EE, we're not selling anything but we're just checking your broadband is working well". Yeah, right. Our local Asda has let them set up shop (arf!!!) as well so they harass you on your way in or out. I think they've started to recognise me now as they all turn away and bother someone else

This is like a case of deja vu - years ago ,this was the TalkTalk "approach" !